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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Gov. Jared Polis signs bill to increase number of young people Colorado can hold in pre-trial detention
DENVER - Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed a bill into law that will increase the number of young people Colorado can hold in pre-trial detention facilities. Current law allows the state to detain up to 215 teens at any one time. House Bill 1146 increases that number to 254 in the next fiscal year. In subsequent years, a formula will determine the maximum bed count, based on the average daily population. The bill also removes the most serious type of felony charges from counting toward the cap, and creates 39 emergency beds that wouldn't count toward the total bed cap. The Colorado District Attorneys' Council spearheaded the bipartisan bill, sponsored by Reps. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Dan Woog, R-Frederick, and Sens. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, and Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. The DA group originally wanted to bump the number of detained youth up to 324, a hike that received forceful pushback from juvenile justice advocates. Prosecutors argued the state doesn't have enough beds to house violent youth offenders awaiting trial. Since fiscal year 2021, detained youth admissions with violent charges have increased by 49%, and admissions for homicide or manslaughter have risen by 80%, state figures show. As a result, prosecutors say, authorities have been forced to release teens who might otherwise be deemed a danger to the public to free up spots for someone else. Critics countered that the lack of safety in these facilities - highlighted by The Denver Post in March - proves the state should not be dramatically increasing the bed count. The legislation also includes a body-worn camera pilot program for juvenile detention and commitment staff. The test program in one youth detention facility and one commitment facility requires every staff member who is responsible for the direct supervision of youth to wear a body camera while interacting with them. The program will be implemented from January 2026 through December 2028. The Colorado Department of Human Services will then recommend whether to continue and expand the program, or eliminate it. The body-camera addition comes after a Post investigation found widespread allegations of excessive force by staff in the state's 14 juvenile detention facilities. A year's worth of internal incident reports reviewed by The Post showed teens suffered broken bones, sustained concussions and overdosed on drugs in these secure centers. Colorado's child protection ombudsman, tasked with investigating child safety concerns, has been calling since last year for the state to add body-worn cameras for staff in juvenile detention. Currently, facilities are equipped with video but no audio, making it impossible for investigators to determine whether verbal altercations contributed to excessive force or restraint incidents. -------------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
The Trump administration is pushing therapy for transgender youth. What does that look like?
Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, federal policy has shifted to promote psychological therapy as the only treatment for transgender youth in distress. A report issued last month by the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services on care for transgender and nonbinary people analyzed 17 studies out of more than 3,400 looking into gender-affirming care - an umbrella term that can include talk therapy, puberty blockers, hormone treatments and surgeries. They included only analyses of other studies that didn't include any patients older than 26. Those that examined mental health generally found improvements from gender-affirming care, though with low certainty, because they didn't include a large enough group, the effects were small, or other factors. The report had more sweeping conclusions, however, stating that people under 19 with gender dysphoria should receive only psychological therapy, rather than being able to choose puberty blockers or hormone therapy. Gender dysphoria refers to distress when someone's gender identity and their sex, or the way others see them, don't match. Major medical groups, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, have endorsed offering the full range of affirming care to appropriate patients, and experts interviewed by The Denver Post agreed that while some patients only need therapy, others benefit from gender-affirming medical care. The new report comes as the administration ordered providers to stop offering puberty blockers and hormone therapy to anyone under 19, threatening to take away federal funding from hospitals that didn't comply. A federal judge blocked Trump's executive order while a legal challenge plays out from four states, including Colorado. The Trump administration also forbade transgender people from serving in the military, threatened federal funding for schools if they promote "gender ideology," removed references to LGBTQ health disparities from health websites, ordered the Justice Department to take action to stop trans girls from playing on sports teams with cisgender girls, forbade the issuing of passports displaying the gender trans people identify with, and moved inmates who are trans women into men's prisons. Dr. Rae Narr, a nonbinary psychologist in Denver, said the administration's actions targeting transgender people suggest the government is going to push therapy that attempts to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. But, done right, therapy can also be affirming, they said. "On their face, what they are suggesting is therapy and support for these youth," Narr said. "When you really look at what they're suggesting, it's conversion therapy." Conversion therapy, as typically practiced today, looks for a pathological root for someone's sexual orientation or gender identity, Narr said. For example, the practitioner might argue that another condition, such as autism, caused someone to think that they were transgender, or that they wanted to change their gender because of shame about being gay or a history of sexual trauma, they said. Mainstream medical groups condemn the practice and Colorado banned conversion therapy for minors, though the law faces a challenge at the Supreme Court. Affirming therapy, in contrast, starts from the position that no identity is right or wrong, Narr said. The goal isn't to encourage young people to transition, but to help them sort through what would make them comfortable in their bodies and lives, they said. That can involve talking about how they imagine their adult lives and practical exercises, such as trying on different clothes, Narr said. They also discuss where the young person would feel physically and emotionally safe exploring. For example, someone might go to the next town over to try out going to a store dressed differently, they said. "I talk to kids a lot about what does it mean to you when you imagine being a boy, or a girl, or something else," they said. 'We listen to them' In 2024, 46% of transgender or nonbinary young people reported seriously considering suicide, and 14% attempted it, according to the LGBTQ nonprofit The Trevor Project. Those who reported they'd experienced bullying or physical harm because of their gender identity were more likely to report thoughts of suicide, as were those who said their schools didn't support them. But the odds of suicide drop when youth report that people in their lives accept them, such as by calling them by their chosen name and pronouns, Narr said. Dr. Casey Wolf, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at WellPower in Denver, said the field hasn't agreed to a protocol for treating gender dysphoria, but does have evidence-based therapies for the depression, anxiety or trauma that typically push people to seek help. Sometimes, those symptoms stem from gender dysphoria or from mistreatment based on someone's gender identity, but not always, she said. "We listen to them. We try to understand what their symptoms are," Wolf said. While the public is talking about gender identity more than in the past, Wolf said she hasn't seen an increase in young people experiencing gender dysphoria. Despite the perception that being transgender is trendy, people don't take on marginalized identities like they change their hairstyles, she said. Not all trans people experience gender dysphoria, and not everyone who has gender dysphoria decides to transition, said John Mikovits, an assistant professor of nursing who studies care for LGBTQ people at Moravian University in Pennsylvania. Some people may only need emotional support at some points in their life, but may decide to socially or medically transition later, he said. What the therapist helps the patient work on may also change, Mikovits said. For example, a person who opts to transition may feel relief from gender dysphoria, but needs to learn skills to cope with increased discrimination, he said. "The treatment is not about curing someone's transgender or misaligned identity, it's about affirming that identity and improving their quality of life," he said. 'The most basic and easiest thing to do' Acting as a liaison between kids and parents can also be part of the job. Young people often struggle to tell their parents what they're feeling, so the news they're questioning their gender can feel like it comes out of nowhere, Narr said. Parents also don't always do the best job explaining their feelings, so confusion or fear for their child's future can come off as rejection, they said. "Even if the parents are supportive, it's reasonable to have some fear and grief" for the life they imagined for their child, they said. While discussion about affirming care focuses on puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries, just using the right pronouns for someone can be important affirmation, Mikovits said. "It's the most basic and easiest thing to do, to refer to people the way they want to be referred to," he said. Everyone wants others to see them the way they see themselves, and if that isn't happening, it can bring shame and hopelessness, Wolf said. When someone says they aren't wrong or sick because of how they see themselves, that can bring back some hope that the problem is their environment, and they may be able to change it, she said. "That's the beginning," she said. _____ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
NBC Sports
28-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Von Miller plans on playing in 2025
The Bills cut edge rusher Von Miller on March 9, and he has remained a free agent since. Miller, though, said he plans to play in 2025. He doesn't yet know where that will be, but Miller knows it won't be back in Denver. 'I haven't heard anything,' Miller said when asked if the Broncos have reached out, via video from Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. 'But, I mean, really, if you look at it, this year, it really doesn't make sense. They've got two really, really good rushers that are best in the league [caliber]. With Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, they are incredible rushers -- and the guys underneath them, they come in and produce sacks, too. And they play special teams. 'I'm not playing special teams. That decision kind of makes itself, I think at 36 years old, I can say that I probably won't be doing that. But yeah, this year, probably not [a reunion with the Broncos], but the year after that -- next year -- we'll see what happens.' The Bills saved $8.4 million in salary cap space by cutting Miller, who signed a six-year, $120 million deal before the 2022 season. In three seasons, Miller played 36 of a possible 50 games and totaled 14 sacks, 41 tackles and 23 quarterback hits. Miller is an eight-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New report reveals why home insurance rates are skyrocketing — here's what you need to know
With the recent increase in wildfires and other extreme weather events, many homeowners are finding that their insurance companies are raising rates. Colorado has the fourth-most-expensive insurance rates in the United States, and with more increases on the way, homeowners are left scrambling. Due to increasing extreme weather events, particularly wildfires and hail in Colorado, home insurance premiums have steadily increased in recent years. In the Centennial State, insurance rates have risen 76.6% in just the last six years. According to The Denver Post, an Insurify report estimated Colorado homeowners will see an 11% increase in premiums in 2025, which could increase the average premium cost to over $6,000. Considering that approximately 300,000 homes in the state are at risk from wildfires, it's not surprising that insurance companies find that insuring these homes is riskier. However, the increased rates are making it more challenging for homeowners in Colorado to afford home insurance. Already, about 10% of Colorado homes are uninsured despite the likelihood of damage from wildfires and hail. Higher home insurance premiums will leave more homeowners having to choose whether paying the premium is more affordable than trying to repair damage caused by extreme weather events themselves, which could lead to an increase in uninsured homeowners. Higher premiums could also lead to fewer homeowners, as some may find that weather risks make renting preferable to purchasing a house. Furthermore, in some regions, insurance companies are pulling out entirely, leaving people without coverage and at risk of financial burden. As more insurance companies become averse to insuring homes in risky areas, more people may begin migrating to states with fewer extreme weather events or cheaper premiums, which could increase home and insurance rates in those states. If we continue to rely on dirty energy, supercharged extreme weather events — such as wildfires — would likely increase even more as heat-trapping gases continue to accumulate in our atmosphere, worsening the home insurance situation and causing further damage to our communities. This is just one reason why many governments and companies are adopting clean-energy solutions. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Colorado is trying to lower the cost of insurance via a 1% policy fee. This fee would fund programs in the state to address risks and damages caused by extreme weather, hopefully keeping insurers from abandoning the state. Though this fee would cause a slight increase in rates, it would be far less than what premiums are now. The Colorado legislature is also working to pass two bills related to home insurance. House Bill 1182 would rein in the use of risk assessment models by insurance companies, while House Bill 1302 would fund reinsurance and grant programs related to keeping homes safe from wildfires and hail. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
This Whiskey Just Cleaned Up At The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
DENVER, CO -FEBRUARY 18: Whisky being poured into a shoot glass at Stranahan's Colorado whisky, in ... More Denver Colorado, on February 23, 2017. (Photo by Amy Brothers /The Denver Post via Getty Images) If there's one thing Stranahan's knows how to do—besides distill award-winning American single malt—it's keep whiskey nerds lining up in tents at high altitude every winter like it's the Great American Barrel Migration. Their ultra-limited Snowflake release has long been the stuff of cultish devotion. This year? The devotion paid off. At the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Stranahan's raked in seven Gold and Double Gold medals, including top honors for Snowflake Redcloud Peak, which was named a Best of Class finalist in the American Single Malt category. Not to be outdone, Mountain Angel 12-Year also earned a Double Gold and finalist status. Basically: if this were whiskey summer camp, Stranahan's just won all the merit badges. 'We stand in elite single malt territory, with a floor of Gold at SFWSC,' said Head Blender Justin Aden, who's been quietly blending up a storm inside a former Denver theater-turned-barrel room called Rackhouse 215. 'It's all a testament to our 21 years of toil, perfecting one recipe and one recipe only.' Let's pause there. One recipe. Twenty-one years. Multiple awards. And an entire rickhouse dedicated to barrels finished in everything from Sauternes to mezcal. No big deal. Red Cloud Peak Stranahan's Snowflake is an annual release that hardcore fans camp out for, sometimes days in advance, with lawn chairs, whiskey-fueled optimism, and a collective tolerance for Colorado winter. Redcloud Peak, this year's edition, is a high-wire blend of sherry, port, Sauternes, and other fortified wines that—somehow—doesn't tip into sticky sweetness. During a tasting when the whiskey was released, Aden described the process of creating Snowflake sort of like a whiskey séance. 'It starts to reveal itself to you,' he says. 'Some barrels you think you'll use for sure don't make the cut. Others surprise you.' He tasted through hundreds of barrels to build the final blend, composed of about a dozen casks. Stranahans Aden, who joined Stranahan's in May 2022, dove headfirst into the distillery's extensive barrel inventory to shape Red Cloud Peak. 'You have all year to work on it. You keep sampling and sampling and trying things mixed together, and it starts to reveal itself to you,' Aden explained during a tasting of the components that went into the whiskey. Unlike the previous year's Snowflake, which leaned heavily into smoky, mezcal-cask influences, Aden knew he wanted this year's blend to steer clear of peat and smoke. Instead, he focused on fruit-forward barrels and an array of fortified wine finishes, including Sherry, Sauternes, and Madera. 'All I knew for certain was there'd be no smoke, no peat in this year's version,' Aden said. 'But other than that, you come in completely unencumbered.' Stranahan's Snowflake releases are built from what Aden calls 'miniature blends' — smaller coupes that each showcase a specific flavor style. Red Cloud Peak's final composition includes: 'Building the blend is like building a house — you start with a cornerstone,' Aden said. 'Sometimes you think you're going one way, and the barrels lead you somewhere completely different.' The process is painstaking. Aden and his team tasted hundreds of barrels over the course of the year (tough work, I know), narrowing them down to about 12 to 16 for the final blend — a manageable number that allows the character of each cask to still be felt. Stranahan's Stranahan's Colorado location gives its whiskey a distinctive aging profile. Unlike the humid rickhouses of Kentucky, Denver's dry climate pulls more water than alcohol from the barrels, gradually concentrating the proof over time. 'We fill our barrels at 110 proof, which is a big departure from the industry standard,' Aden explained. 'It enables the fact that our whiskey proof goes up as it ages to be very gradual.' This slow and steady evaporation results in spirits that maintain bright fruit and vibrant structure — characteristics that shine through in Red Cloud Peak's lush, layered palate. Barrels at Stranahan's Snowflake isn't just about rare barrels and special finishes. For Aden, it's also about carrying forward a pioneering craft whiskey legacy. 'Twenty years ago, if you didn't have a little nepotism in Kentucky or Tennessee, you just weren't breaking in. Craft distilling changed that,' Aden said. 'Stranahan's deserves to be recognized at the top of that list.' As craft distilling in America boomed from just a handful of operations to more than 2,000 today, Stranahan's stayed the course: refusing to source whiskey, focusing exclusively on American single malt, and pushing creative boundaries year after year. Snowflake's continued success — and the dedicated fans who camp out to get a bottle — are proof that Stranahan's spirit of innovation and adventure is alive and well under Aden's leadership. 'We have people who haven't missed one in ten years,' Aden said. 'That kind of loyalty — that's rare. That's something you have to earn every single time.' Stranahan's Lineup Snowflake may get the Instagram buzz, but Stranahan's other bottles are no slackers. Here's how the rest of the lineup performed: 'It's easy for me to wax about this part of the job,' Aden says. 'To take the culmination of so much hard work, put it together, and have it sing—there's nothing like it.' He's talking about blending, of course—but it's also a fair way to describe what Stranahan's is up to more broadly. In a still-emerging category, the distillery isn't chasing trends so much as quietly refining its voice – and winning some awards in the process.
